HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (August 13, 2016) – The Tampa Bay Rowdies were defeated 3-2 by the New York Cosmos on a wild night at James M. Shuart Stadium.
“I’m devastated,” said head coach Stuart Campbell. “I’m devastated for the players, coaches, and everyone associated with the Rowdies organization. We played a good match and came away with nothing. We have a midweek game that will help us move forward and get past tonight’s loss.”
Tampa Bay raced to an early 2-0 lead on goals by Joe Cole and PC in the opening 15 minutes, but the drama was just getting started.
The Rowdies got off to a flying start, scoring two goal in a three minute span to give the visiting team a 2-0 lead just 14 minutes into the match.
The Rowdies goal came right after the Cosmos were just inches away from opening the scoring. Goalkeeper Matt Pickens was able to pounce on a free ball inside the 6-yard box and start the counter attack for the Rowdies. Moments before the clock hit the 12th minute, PC reached the endline and whipped a ball to the far post, finding an oncoming Cole who slotted the ball into the net. With the goal, Cole now has five goals and four assists in 11 league matches.
After picking up his first assist with the club, it wouldn’t be long before Brazilian midfielder PC would get his first goal with the Green & Gold.
The Rowdies doubled the lead in the 14th minute, after forward Carlos Preciado played a ball to an oncoming PC. The midfielder smashed the ball into the goal to score his first goal with the club.
All looked controlled for the Rowdies after going up 2-0, but the Cosmos began to immediately push for that goal that would cut the lead to just one.
New York found what they were looking for in the 39th minute, after the referee signal to the penalty spot. It would be Moffat who sent the ball in the opposite direction of a diving Pickens.
The second half began with both teams creating chances as the match opened up. Midfielder Eric Avila looked to chip Maurer in the 52nd minute to extend the Rowdies lead but it was parried away by the goalkeeper.
As the match passed the hour mark, all went downhill for the Rowdies.
Moffat scored from the spot in the 62nd minute, capitalizing on a foul inside the box on forward Lucky Mkosana.
With the score tied up, each team had a player ejected in the 68th minute. Rowdies Assistant Coach Raoul Voss and Cosmos Assistant Coach Alecko Eskandarian were also ejected from the match, departing in the 63rd minute.
When it looked like the match was going to end in a draw, it was second-half substitute David Diosa who scored New York’s game-winning goal in stoppage time. A low cross by Andres Flores found an incoming Diosa who left Pickens with no chance to make a save.
The Rowdies will continue their two-game trip with a Wednesday match against Minnesota United FC before returning home to face FC Edmonton on August 20. Tickets are available by calling (727) 222-2000 or by clicking here.
Scoring Summary
Tampa Bay: Joe Cole – 11th minute (assisted by PC)
Tampa Bay: PC – 14th minute (assisted by Carlos Preciado)
New York: Adam Moffat – 39th minute (penalty)
New York: Adam Moffat – 64th minute (penalty)
New York: David Diosa – 90+ minute (assisted by Andres Flores)
Caution Summary
Tampa Bay: Juan Guerra – 20th minute
New York: Ayoze – 22nd minute
New York: Jimmy Mulligan – 29th minute
Tampa Bay: Tamika Mkandawire – 36th minute
Tampa Bay: PC – 59th minute
Tampa Bay: Darnell King – 68th minute (red card)
New York: Adam Moffat – 68th minute (red card)
Tampa Bay: Neill Collins – 68th minute
New York: Yasmani Duk – 68th minute
New York: Andres Flores – 90+ minute
Lineups
Tampa Bay XI (4-3-3): GK Matt Pickens; D Darnell King, Tamika Mkandawire (c), Neill Collins, Walter Ramirez; M Martin Vingaard, Joe Cole (Michael Nanchoff 83′), Juan Guerra; F Eric Avila (Justin Chavez 70′), Carlos Preciado (Georgi Hristov 76′), PC
New York XI (4-1-4-1): GK Jimmy Maurer; D Jimmy Mulligan, Hunter Freeman (c), David Ochieng, Ayoze; M Adam Moffat; M Lucky Mkosana, Juan Arango (David Diosa 86′), Andres Flores, Jairo Arrieta (Danny Szetela 72′), F Yazmani Duk (Sebastian Guenzatti 76′)
